Taylor Swift’s 2020 Album: Folklore

By Shannon Walsh

Singer and songwriter Taylor Swift shifts from her typical music style for her first album of 2020 entitled, Folklore. 

​For Swift fans, this record was different from her previous country and pop albums. For those who still think of her as the eighteen year old who only sings breakup songs, well, this album is a world away from that. Swift, now 30, is a newly blossomed woman, significantly more mature from when she first began her career. 

Folklore was released in July, only months after a pandemic first swept across the country. Swift, like the rest of us, was locked away in her house, with privacy and months to write. What she created while in isolation was a complete shift from her old pop-star self. 

The album encompasses sixteen songs, all within the alternative/indie genre. The album takes listeners on an emotional journey of heartbreak, love, friendship, betrayal, confusion, and mystery. Each song is mature, raw, and emotional in its own way. Titles like “My Tears Ricochet” and “Illicit Affairs” allude to the mysterious tone behind this album. Emotionally poignant songs; new titles; and the greyscale, woodsy images on the cover of the album all distinguish Swift’s new record from her past albums.

​Fans are eagerly awaiting news of a tour announcement; however, the pandemic is still delaying all concerts.  In the meantime, Folklore is available worldwide on all musical platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, etc. 

Taylor Swift will always have haters, as any celebrity does. However, this album shows her supporters and haters how truly mature she’s become in her musical stylings, as her talent is on full display. 

​Taylor Swift released Folklore knowing we’d all relate to the sad, somber, and interesting melodies and lyrics. During these trying times of 2020, this album was exactly what Swift fans needed.